Old Testament Overview Studies - Simmons

1 Samuel Part 1 Bible Study

The Book of 1 Samuel covers the lives of the prophet Samuel and King Saul and part of King David's life. The book spans a significant time period; however, these three characters knew each other and played a major part in each other's life.

We start with the birth of Samuel. Samuel's mother, Hannah, loved the Lord and wanted a son to serve the Lord. But, like Abraham's wife Sarah, it seemed impossible because 'the LORD had closed her womb” (1:5). Hannah kept praying, and she made a vow to the Lord that if He would give her a son, she would give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor would ever be used on his head (1:11).

Finally the Lord blessed her with a son, and she named him Samuel, saying, ''Because I asked the LORD for him'” (1:20). When Samuel was old enough, Hannah took him to the Temple, to Eli the priest. She told Eli of her promise for the boy to serve the Lord all the days of his life. Then Hannah prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for giving her a son (2:1-10).

Hannah and Elkanah, her husband, went home, 'but the boy ministered before the LORD under Eli the priest” (2:11).

Chapter 2 also tells us of Eli's two wicked sons. They did not follow in their father's footsteps; they had no regard for the Lord. Samuel, on the other hand, was righteous and 'continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men” (2:26).

One night, while Samuel was lying down, God called to him (3:4). Samuel ran to Eli, thinking that Eli had called him. This happened three times. Then Eli realized that God was calling the boy. 'So Eli told Samuel, 'Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening”'” (3:9). Read verses 11-14 to find out what God said to Samuel.

The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and everyone recognized that Samuel was 'a prophet of the LORD” (3:19-20). 'Samuel continued as judge over Israel all the days of his life” (7:15).

When Samuel grew old, all the elders of Israel came to him and said, ''Appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have'” (8:5). This displeased Samuel. But the LORD told him, ''It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king'” (8:7). Israel needed no other king except God! God told Samuel to warn the people ''solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do'” (8:9).

But the people refused to listen, so God told Samuel to give them a king (8:22).

As directed by the Lord, Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel (10:1). 'Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel for 42 years” (13:1).

One of the warriors in the Israeli army was King Saul's son, Jonathan. Jonathan was also the best friend of the future king of Israel, King David. In chapter 15 we learn that Saul sinned against God because he did not destroy the Amalekites and everything that belonged to them as God had told him to do. Saul let his men spare the best of the livestock and kill the rest. He also allowed the king of the Amalekites to live. Saul feared the men more than he feared the Lord. So, in verse 33, Samuel finished what the Lord had commanded and killed Agag, king of the Amalekites.

In chapter 16 we read that Samuel anointed David to be the future king of Israel, and 'from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power” (16:13). David was the youngest son of a man named Jesse, and Jesse's grandmother was Ruth.

When Saul asked his attendants to find someone who played the harp well, they brought David to him. So David entered King Saul's service (16:21).

Be sure to read chapters 1 through 16. Fill in the blanks on the worksheet and on the 'Go to the Word” sheet. May God bless you as you study His Word.

1 Samuel, Part 1, WorksheetWarren Simmons

Samuel's mother, ______, loved the Lord and wanted a son to serve the Lord.She made a ___ to the Lord that if He would give her a son, she would '____ him to the LORD for all the days of his life” (1:11).When Samuel was old enough, Hannah took him to the ______, to Eli the priest, and told Eli of her _______ for the boy to serve the Lord all the days of his life (1:27-28).Then Hannah prayed a prayer of ____________ to the Lord for giving her a son (2:1-10).Hannah went home, 'but the boy __________ before the LORD under Eli the priest” (2:11).'Eli's sons were ______ men; they had no regard for the LORD” (2:12).But 'Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the ____ and with men” (2:26).One night, while Samuel was lying down, God ______ to him (3:4). God was with Samuel as he grew up, and 'Samuel was attested as a _______ of the LORD” (3:20).When Samuel grew ___, the elders of Israel said to him, ''Appoint a ____ to lead us'” (8:5).The LORD told Samuel, ''They have ________ me as their king'” (8:7).Samuel warned the people, but they _______ to listen. So God told him to give them a ____ (8:22).As directed by the Lord, Samuel anointed ____ as the first king of Israel (10:1).'Saul was ______ years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel for 42 years” (13:1).Saul's son, Jonathan, was a _______ in the army and the best friend of _____, Israel's future king.Saul sinned because he did not _______ the Amalekites and everything that belonged to them.Samuel anointed _____ to be the future king of Israel (16:13).Because David played the ____ well, he was chosen to enter King Saul's _______ (16:21).